US8895919B2 - Ion generating apparatus and judgment method for presence or absence of ions - Google Patents

Ion generating apparatus and judgment method for presence or absence of ions Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8895919B2
US8895919B2 US13/259,373 US201013259373A US8895919B2 US 8895919 B2 US8895919 B2 US 8895919B2 US 201013259373 A US201013259373 A US 201013259373A US 8895919 B2 US8895919 B2 US 8895919B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
ion
ions
absence
judgment
generators
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US13/259,373
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20120006996A1 (en
Inventor
Masafumi Nishino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sharp Corp
Original Assignee
Sharp Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sharp Corp filed Critical Sharp Corp
Assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NISHINO, MASAFUMI
Publication of US20120006996A1 publication Critical patent/US20120006996A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8895919B2 publication Critical patent/US8895919B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T23/00—Apparatus for generating ions to be introduced into non-enclosed gases, e.g. into the atmosphere
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
    • A61L9/22—Ionisation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to: an ion generating apparatus provided with an ion detector for detecting ions in air; and a judgment method for presence or absence of ions.
  • a driving voltage of high-voltage alternating current is applied between a needle electrode and an opposite electrodes or alternatively between a discharge electrode and a dielectric electrode so that corona discharge is generated and hence positive and negative ions is generated.
  • a plurality of ion generators are employed, the concentration of ions in air is enhanced.
  • the discharge electrode is worn out by spatter evaporation associated with corona discharge or alternatively the foreign substances such as chemical substances and dust are adhered to and accumulated on the discharge electrode. In such cases, the rate of ion generation decreases unavoidably. Then, in order that the user should be notified that maintenance is necessary for the ion generator, the presence or absence of ions in air need be judged.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an ion detecting device and an ion generating apparatus in which a collecting electrode collecting ions in air is provided and the presence or absence of ions is detected (judged) on the basis of a change in the potential of the collecting electrode generated when ion generating operation is started (or when ion generating operation is stopped).
  • the present inventors have found that at laboratory levels, the ions concentration of 7,000 ions/cm 3 eliminates 99% of bird influenza viruses in 10 minutes and the ions concentration of 50,000 ions/cm 3 eliminates up to 99.9%. These elimination factors indicate that when 1,000 viruses/cm 3 are initially present in air, 10 viruses/cm 3 and 1 virus/cm 3 remain respectively. In other words, when the ion concentration is increased from 7,000 ions/cm 3 to 50,000 ions/cm 3 , the remained viruses decrease into 1/10.
  • Patent Document 1 when air under judgment of ion concentration and the presence or absence of ions is at a high temperature and a high humidity, the amount of change in the potential is small. Thus, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that even the judgment of the presence or absence of ions is difficult. Further, after the ion generator has been operated for a long time, the generated ions themselves decrease. Thus, the amount of change in the potential becomes yet smaller, and hence judgment of the presence or absence of ions becomes more difficult.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an ion generating apparatus and a judgment method for presence or absence of ions in which the presence or absence of ions is judged with precision free from the influence of temperature and humidity and the influence of time dependent change in the ion generator.
  • the ion generating apparatus is an ion generating apparatus in which a plurality of ion generators generate positive and negative ions and which comprises: a drive circuit turning ON/OFF the ion generators; an ion detector detecting an index indicating a state of generation of the ions generated by the ion generators; and judging means for judging presence or absence of the ions on the basis of the index detected by the ion detector, wherein in a case that the drive circuit turns ON one ion generator and the other ion generator periodically at different timings, when a difference of the indices detected by the ions detector is greater than a given threshold value, the judging means concludes presence of the ions.
  • the individual ion generators are turned ON at one or a plurality of different timings, when the difference of the indices indicating the state of generation of ions is greater (or smaller) than a given threshold value, the presence (or the absence) of ions is concluded.
  • the ion generating apparatus is characterized in that in the one ion generator and the other ion generator, positive and negative ion generating parts are installed in parallel in each ion generator, the directions of parallel installation of the individual ion generating parts are aligned, and the ion generators are biased such that the ion generating parts do not overlap in the direction of parallel installation.
  • ion generators in which the directions of parallel installation of positive and negative ion generating parts are aligned are biased such that the ion generating parts do not overlap in the direction of parallel installation.
  • the ion generators are arranged in the ventilation flue such that the direction of parallel installation is approximately at right angles to the air flow running near each ion generating part and then the index is detected on the basis of the ions generated respectively by the positive ion generating part of one ion generator and the negative ion generating part of the other ion generator, the difference in the index detected when the individual ion generators are turned ON at different timings increases in comparison with the amount of change in the index detected when the one ion generator is turned ON/OFF. Thus, judgment of the presence or absence of ions becomes easy.
  • the ion generating apparatus is characterized in that the one ion generator and the other ion generator are installed in alignment in the direction of parallel installation, and that each ion generating part generates ions toward one side of a direction crossing perpendicularly to the direction of aligned installation.
  • the ion generators are installed in alignment in the direction of parallel installation of the ion generating parts. Further, the direction in which each ion generating part generates ions is identical and toward one side of a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of aligned installation.
  • the separation distance between the ion detector and the installed in alignment ion generators is almost minimized. Accordingly, the difference in the index detected when the individual ion generators are turned ON at different timings is almost maximized and hence judgment of the presence or absence of ions is achieved reliably. Further, the ions generated in the ventilation flue by the ion generating parts are conducted efficiently together with the air flow in the ventilation flue.
  • the ion generating apparatus is characterized in that when the drive circuit turns ON the one ion generator and the other ion generator alternately with a given period, the judging means judges presence or absence of the ions.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged in a state that the ion generators respectively generating positive and negative ions are turned ON alternately with a given period.
  • the ion generating apparatus is characterized in that in a case that the judging means has concluded absence of the ions, the judging means again judges presence or absence of the ions at the time that the drive circuit turns ON the one ion generator.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged again the time that the one ion generator is turned ON.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged with focusing attention on the amount of change in the index occurring when the one ion generator is turned ON. Accordingly, the presence or absence of ions is judged by recognizing a rapid change in the index occurring when the ions are changed, for example, from positive to negative.
  • the ion generating apparatus is characterized by comprising means for generating a warning when the judging means has concluded absence of the ions in a given number of successive occasions.
  • the user is notified and prompted to maintenance of the ion generators, that is, cleaning or replacement of the ion generators.
  • the judgment method for presence or absence of ions is characterized by comprising: turning ON/OFF a plurality of ion generators so as to generate positive and negative ions; detecting through an ion detector an index indicating a state of generation of the ions generated by the ion generators; and judging presence or absence of the ions on the basis of the index detected by the ion detector, wherein in a case that the ion generators respectively generating positive and negative ions are turned ON periodically at different timings, when a difference of the indices detected by the ions detector is greater than a given threshold value, presence of the ions is concluded.
  • the ion generators respectively generating positive and negative ions are turned ON at one or a plurality of different timings, when the difference of the indices indicating the state of generation of ions is greater (or smaller) than a given threshold value, the presence (or the absence) of ions is concluded.
  • the difference in the index detected when the individual ion generators are turned ON increases in comparison with the amount of change in the index detected when the one ion generator is turned ON/OFF. Accordingly, judgment of the presence or absence of ions becomes easy.
  • the presence (or the absence) of ions is concluded.
  • FIG. 1 is a front-side sectional view illustrating a configuration of an ion generating apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side sectional view illustrating a configuration of an ion generating apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 is a front-side sectional view illustrating a configuration of an ion generator.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic elevation view in which an ion generator attached to a front wall is viewed from the inner side of a housing.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of an ion generating apparatus.
  • FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating drive signals inputted to control inputs in a case that an ion generating apparatus is in an ordinary operating state.
  • FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an ion detector.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a conductor pattern of a circuit board of an ion detector.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph expressing the negative ion concentration as a function of the number of times of discharge of an ion generator.
  • FIGS. 10A and B are graphs expressing the output voltage of a measuring part in a case that an ion generator not provided with a rib is turned ON/OFF at an ordinary temperature and an ordinary humidity.
  • FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a situation that a difference in the amount of change in the output voltage of a measuring part is caused by a difference in the driving timing of an ion generator.
  • FIG. 12 is a graph expressing the output voltage of a measuring part in a case that an ion generator and an ion generator are alternately turned ON/OFF every 10 seconds at an ordinary temperature and an ordinary humidity.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph expressing the output voltage of a measuring part in a case that an ion generator and an ion generator are alternately turned ON/OFF every second at an ordinary temperature and a high humidity (90% or higher).
  • FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating drive signals inputted to control inputs when the presence or absence of ions is to be judged.
  • FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU for driving ion generators in an ordinary operating state.
  • FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU concerning a subroutine of switching of PCs 1 to 4 .
  • FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU for generating a warning on the basis of a result of judgment of the presence or absence of ions.
  • FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU for generating a warning on the basis of a result of judgment of the presence or absence of ions.
  • FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of a CPU for generating a warning on the basis of a result of judgment of the presence or absence of ions.
  • FIG. 1 is a front-side sectional view illustrating the configuration of an ion generating apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side sectional view illustrating the configuration of an ion generating apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 is a front-side sectional view illustrating the configuration of an ion generator 6 a .
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic elevation view in which ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d attached to a front wall 5 a are viewed from the inner side of a housing 1 .
  • the configuration of the other ion generators 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d is similar to that of the ion generator 6 a.
  • Numeral 1 in the figure indicates a housing.
  • the housing 1 inlet openings 11 and 11 in the lower part and that are separated from and opposite to each other; and a top wall 1 c having two fitting holes 12 and 12 in the center part.
  • a motor 2 is arranged that has output shafts 21 and 21 on both sides of the revolution axis directions.
  • the output shafts 21 and 21 of the motor 2 are provided respectively with two impellers 3 and 3 accommodated in two casings 4 and 4 in a freely revolvable manner.
  • the ducts 5 and 5 are respectively arranged that serve as tube parts individually guiding upward the air flows generated by the revolution of the impellers.
  • the ducts 5 and 5 respectively have: ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d each provided with two ion generating parts 61 and 62 in the lower part; and wind direction bodies 7 and 7 arranged in the fitting holes 12 and 12 in a removable manner.
  • a collecting electrode 66 collecting the generated ions and a measuring part 67 measuring the potential of the collecting electrode 66 are arranged in such a manner that their longitudinal direction is oriented approximately in the horizontal direction and in the adjacent vicinity of the ion generators 6 a and 6 c .
  • the motor 2 , the impellers 3 and 3 , and the casings 4 and 4 constitute a fan.
  • the housing 1 further has; a bottom wall 1 d having a rectangular shape in the plane view; and a front wall 1 e and a rear wall 1 f that continue from the two front and rear sides of the bottom wall 1 d , so that an approximately rectangular parallelepiped is formed.
  • the lower part of the front wall 1 e is provided with: an operation part 85 for receiving operation to the ion generating apparatus; and a display part 86 constructed from LEDs for displaying information such as a warning and an operating status.
  • the inlet openings 11 and 11 in the lower part of the both side walls 1 a and 1 b are provided with filters 8 and 8 that pass the air taken in by the impellers 3 and 3 through the inlet openings 11 and 11 and remove foreign substances in the air so as to generate clean air.
  • Each of the fitting holes 12 and 12 of the top wall 1 c has a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is oriented in the front and rear directions. Then, the inner surface on the front side is inclined forward relative to the vertical direction, and the inner surface on the rear side is inclined rearward relative to the vertical direction. Further, the housing 1 is divided into an upper body and a lower body in the middle of the up and down directions. The lower body is provided with the casings 4 and 4 , and the upper body is provided with the ducts 5 and 5 .
  • the impellers 3 and 3 are multi-blade impellers having a plurality of blades 3 a in which the rotation center side displaces in the rotation direction relative to the rim. In other words, these are sirocco fans having a cylindrical shape. Further, the impellers 3 and 3 have bearing plates at particular ends. The output shafts 21 and 21 of the motor 2 are attached to the shaft holes provided in the center of the bearing plates. Then, the air taken into the cavity of the center part through the opening at the other end is released between the blades 3 a in the outer periphery part.
  • the casings 4 and 4 have: arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 guiding the air flows generated by the revolution of the impellers 3 and 3 toward the rotation direction of the impellers 3 and 3 so as to enhance the velocities of the air flows; and blow-off ports 42 and 42 opened upward from a part of the arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 toward one side of the tangential direction of the arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 .
  • the blow-off ports 42 and 42 have a rectangular pipe shape protruding from a part of the arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 toward one side of the tangential direction of the arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 into an inclined direction relative to the vertical direction.
  • the casings 4 and 4 has a deep dish shape and have: casing bodies 4 a and 4 a having releasing parts for the arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 and for the blow-off ports 42 and 42 ; and cover plates 4 b and 4 b that have releasing parts corresponding to the openings of the impellers 3 and 3 and that close the opening sides of the casing bodies 4 a and 4 a .
  • the opposing sides of the casing bodies 4 a and 4 a are integrally linked by a connection wall 43 for partition.
  • ventilation plates 9 and 9 having a plurality of air holes are provided between the releasing parts of the cover plates 4 b and 4 b and the filters 8 and 8 .
  • connection wall 43 corresponding to the motor 2 has a recess depressed toward one casing body 4 a side. Then, a deep-dish-shaped supporting plate 44 is attached to the edge of the recess. Then, the motor 2 is clamped and held between the recess and the center part of the supporting plate 44 via rubber plates 45 and 45 .
  • the output shafts 21 and 21 are inserted through the shaft holes provided in the recess and the center part of the supporting plate 44 . Then, the impellers 3 and 3 are attached to the output shafts 21 and 21 . Further, the upper end of the connection wall 43 extends above the casings 4 and 4 .
  • the ducts 5 and 5 are composed of tube parts having rectangular pipe shapes whose lower ends continue to the blow-off ports 42 and 42 , whose upper ends continue to the fitting holes 12 and 12 , and whose middle parts in the up and down directions are squeezed. Further, the ducts 5 and 5 have: front walls 5 a and 5 a arranged along one side of the tangential direction of the arc-shaped guide surfaces 41 and 41 from the blow-off ports 42 and 42 ; and rear walls 5 b and 5 b arranged almost perpendicularly from the blow-off ports 42 and 42 .
  • the front walls 5 a and 5 a and the rear walls 5 b and 5 b continue to two side walls 5 c , 5 c , 5 d , and 5 d arranged almost perpendicularly. Then, the air blown off from the blow-off ports 42 and 42 is brought into laminar flows along the front walls 5 a and 5 a and the side walls 5 c , 5 c , 5 d , and 5 d and then guided along the vertical direction.
  • the front walls 5 a and 5 a are provided with a through hole corresponding to a supporting body 63 b having the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d , the collecting electrode 66 , and the measuring part 67 . Then, the supporting body 63 b is attached and fit into the through hole.
  • the rear walls 5 b and 5 b are provided with: a circuit board 10 connected to the motor 2 , the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d , the measuring part 67 , and a power line; and a cover 20 covering the circuit board 10 .
  • the ducts 5 and 5 are divided into a duct upper body 51 and a duct lower body 52 in the middle of the up and down directions.
  • the duct lower body 52 has a rectangular pipe shape, and the center in the horizontal direction is divided by the connection wall 43 .
  • the duct upper body 51 is formed such that the lower parts of square pipe parts 51 a and 51 a arranged in parallel in a separated manner in the horizontal direction are integrated by a linkage part 51 b .
  • the duct upper body 51 is divided by the linkage part 51 b and the connection wall 43 .
  • the upper end of the duct upper body 51 is provided with protection meshes 30 and 30 avoiding a situation that foreign substances such as a finger are inserted from the outside.
  • the wind direction bodies 7 and 7 have: rectangular frame parts 71 and 71 whose cross section in the front and rear directions has an inverted trapezium shape; and a plurality of wind direction boards 72 and 72 arranged in parallel in a separated manner in the front and rear directions in the rectangular frame part 71 and 71 and inclined toward one side of the front and rear directions relative to the vertical direction. These wind direction bodies have an identical shape to each other. The front and rear walls of the rectangular frame parts 71 and 71 inclined toward the front and rear directions relative to the vertical direction.
  • Each of the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d is accommodated in a case 60 having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has two ion generating parts 61 and 62 arranged in parallel in a separated manner in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air generated by the revolution of the impellers 3 and 3 .
  • Each of the ion generating parts 61 and 62 has: discharge electrodes 61 a and 62 a arranged on the electrode substrate 63 and having an acute shape; and dielectric electrodes 61 b and 62 b surrounding the discharge electrodes 61 a and 62 a .
  • each of the discharge electrodes 61 a and 62 a on which a high voltage is applied generates corona discharge.
  • one ion generating part 61 generates positive ions and the other ion generating part 62 generates negative ions toward the opening side of each of the dielectric electrodes 61 b and 62 b.
  • the electrode substrate 63 is opposite to a circuit board 64 provided with circuit elements such as transistors and resistors.
  • the circuit board 64 has a step-up transformer 65 generating the high voltage, on the side opposite to the negative ion generating part 62 .
  • the direction of winding of the coil of the step-up transformer 65 is such that the magnetic flux leaked from the coil is approximately in parallel to the direction of parallel installation of the ion generating parts 61 and 62 , in the vicinity of the ion generating part 62 (illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 3 ).
  • Synthetic resin is filled in between the electrode substrate 63 and the circuit board 64 and in the surroundings of the step-up transformer 65 .
  • the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d are held by the supporting body 63 b and attached to the front walls 5 a and 5 a of the ducts 5 and 5 , respectively.
  • the two of the ion generators 6 a and 6 c and the ion generators 6 b and 6 d are respectively arranged in alignment in the direction of parallel installation in such a manner that the directions of parallel installation of the ion generating parts 61 and 62 are the same. Further, the arrangement is such that the direction of aligned installation and the direction of air flow are approximately perpendicular to each other.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 c and the ion generators 6 b and 6 d are arranged in parallel in the direction of air flow such that the directions of parallel installation of the ion generating parts 61 and 62 are reversed.
  • the ion generating parts 61 and 62 of each of the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d face the inside of the ducts 5 and 5 from the through hole.
  • the supporting body 63 b on both sides of the ion generating parts 61 and 62 continuing in the direction of air flow is provided with ribs 64 a and 64 a preventing the user from directly touching the discharge electrodes 61 a and 62 a.
  • the collecting electrode 66 is composed of a plate-shaped electrode having an approximately rectangular shape and collecting ions. Then, in order that negative and positive ions generated respectively by the ion generating part 62 of the ion generator 6 a and the ion generating part 61 of the ion generator 6 c should be detected reliably, the collecting electrode 66 is arranged immediately near the ion generating parts 62 and 61 such that the electrode surface is exposed inside the ducts 5 and 5 . The electrode surface of the collecting electrode 66 is approximately in parallel to the direction of aligned installation of the ion generators 6 a and 6 c . When the collecting electrode 66 collects positive (or negative) ions, the potential of the collecting electrode 66 rises (or falls). The potential of the collecting electrode 66 is measured as a voltage value relative to the ground potential by the measuring part 67 described later.
  • the collecting electrode 66 has been arranged immediately near the ion generating part 62 of the ion generator 6 a and the ion generating part 61 of the ion generator 6 c .
  • the collecting electrode 66 may be arranged, for example, in an arbitrary site on the inner surface of the fitting hole 12 , or alternatively in an arbitrary site on the side walls 1 a and 1 b , the top wall 1 c , the front wall 1 e , or the rear wall 1 f of the housing 1 .
  • the ion generating apparatus constructed as described above is installed in a room of a residence.
  • the impellers 3 and 3 revolve.
  • room air is taken into the two casings 4 and 4 through the inlet openings 11 and 11 on both sides.
  • Foreign substances such as dust in the air taken in are removed by the filters 8 and 8 .
  • the air taken into the casings 4 and 4 is brought into laminar flows by the arc-shaped guide walls 42 and 42 of the circumference of the impellers 3 and 3 .
  • the air of laminar flow is guided along the arc-shaped guide walls 41 and 41 to the blow-off ports 42 and 42 , and then blown off from the blow-off ports 42 and 42 into the ducts 5 and 5 .
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the ion generating apparatus.
  • a CPU 81 serves the center of the control system.
  • the CPU 81 is connected through a bus to: a ROM 82 storing information such as a program; a RAM 83 storing information generated temporarily; and a timer 84 measuring time.
  • the CPU 81 executes processing such as input/output and arithmetic operations.
  • the CPU 81 is further connected through a bus to: an operation part 85 receiving the operation of changing the air flow rate of the ion generating apparatus; a display part (means for generating a warning) 86 constructed from LEDs displaying information such as a warning and an operating status; a fan drive circuit 87 driving the motor 2 provided with the impellers 3 and 3 ; and an A/D conversion circuit 89 converting into a digital voltage the analog voltage measured by the measuring part 67 measuring the potential of the collecting electrode 66 , for the purpose of acquisition.
  • the operation part 85 is provided with a buzzer generating an alarm tone (means for generating a warning).
  • the collecting electrode 66 and the measuring part 67 constitute the ion detector.
  • the output terminals of the output interfaces 88 , 88 , 88 , and 88 connected to the CPU 81 through the bus are connected to the control inputs PC 1 , PC 2 , PC 3 , and PC 4 of the ion generator drive circuits 91 , 91 , 91 , and 91 each having two output terminals.
  • each of the ion generator drive circuits 91 , 91 , 91 , and 91 is connected to the anode of a DC power supply E 1 of 14 V whose cathode is connected to the ground inputs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 , and G 4 of the respective ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d and to the ground potential.
  • the other end is connected to the power supply inputs V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , and V 4 of the respective ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d.
  • the CPU 81 When the ion generating apparatus is in an ordinary operating state, at each time that the timer 84 counts a given time, the CPU 81 reverses (switches) the ON/OFF of the control inputs PC 1 , PC 2 , PC 3 , and PC 4 of the respective ion generator drive circuits 91 , 91 , 91 , and 91 via the output interfaces 88 , 88 , 88 , and 88 .
  • the ion generator drive circuits 91 , 91 , 91 , and 91 respectively close/open the connection between the power supply inputs V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , and V 4 of the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d and the anode of the DC power supply E 1 for every given time.
  • FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating drive signals inputted to the control inputs PC 1 , PC 2 , PC 3 , and PC 4 in a case that the ion generating apparatus is in an ordinary operating state.
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates time (second).
  • the vertical axis indicates the state of ON/OFF.
  • 1-second ON/1-second OFF is repeated alternately with a duty of 50%.
  • ON/OFF is repeated in the same phase.
  • the ion generator drive circuits 91 , 91 , 91 , and 91 close/open the power supply to the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d alternately every other second.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are driven alternately every other second.
  • FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the ion detector.
  • the ion detector has the measuring part 67 and the collecting electrode 66 respectively arranged on the component side (the front face) and the detection side (the rear face) of the circuit board.
  • the measuring part 67 has a resistor R 4 pulling up the to collecting electrode 66 to the DC power supply of 5 V.
  • the two terminals of the resistor R 4 are connected in parallel to a capacitor C 1 .
  • the collecting electrode 66 is connected through a protective resistance R 1 of the measuring part 67 to the non-inverted input terminal 68 of an operational amplifier IC 1 in which a resistor R 2 is connected between the inverted input terminal and the output terminal.
  • the output terminal of the operational amplifier IC 1 is connected to resistors R 3 and R 5 connected in series to each of capacitors C 2 and C 4 connected to the ground potential.
  • the connection point between the capacitor C 2 and the resistor R 3 is connected to a protection electrode 69 .
  • the connection point between the capacitor C 4 and the resistor R 5 is connected to the output terminal of the connector CN 5 .
  • the connector CN 5 is used for providing the potential measured by the measuring part 67 to the A/D conversion circuit 89 .
  • the protection electrode 69 encloses the surroundings except a part of the collecting electrodes 66 , and encloses the protective resistance R 1 and the part connected to the two terminals of the protective resistance R 1 .
  • the output impedance of the operational amplifier IC 1 is sufficiently small in comparison with the resistance of the resistor R 3 .
  • the protection electrode 69 is maintained at the same potential as the collecting electrode 66 via the resistor R 3 (10 k ⁇ ) having 1/100,000 of the resistance of the resistor R 4 (1 G ⁇ ) pulling up the collecting electrode 66 .
  • the charge owned by the ions collected by the collecting electrode 66 is conducted along the surface of the circuit board from the collecting electrode 66 to the operational amplifier IC 1 so as to move to the outside of the surroundings of the protection electrode 69 .
  • employable constructions of the protective resistance R 1 are not limited to a resistor.
  • a series parallel circuit of circuit elements such as resistors and coils may be employed, for example, for a purpose other than protection.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a conductor pattern of the circuit board of the ion detector.
  • FIG. 8A illustrates a conductor pattern on the front face on which circuit elements are mounted.
  • FIG. 8B illustrates a conductor pattern on the rear face on which the collecting electrode 66 and the protection electrode 69 are formed.
  • the collecting electrode 66 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern on the front face via the through holes 66 a and 66 b .
  • To the conductor pattern particular sides of the terminals of the protective resistance R 1 , the resistor R 4 , and the capacitor C 1 are attached.
  • the protection electrode 69 enclosing the collecting electrode 66 on the rear side has an approximate U-shape in a plane view, where an omitted part K is formed in one side of the longitudinal direction of the circuit board having an approximately rectangular shape. Then, the protection electrode 69 is electrically connected via the through holes 69 a and 69 b to the protection electrode 69 enclosing the surroundings of the circuit elements on the front face.
  • the protection electrode 69 on the front face further encloses the conductor pattern and the conductor pattern connecting the protective resistance R 1 and the non-inverted input 68 .
  • the plane formed by the protection electrode 69 enclosing the conductor pattern and the protective resistance R 1 described above is approximately in parallel to the plane formed by the collecting electrode 66 . This minimizes the crossing of the magnetic flux leaked from the step-up transformer 65 with the protection electrode 69 .
  • FIG. 9 is a graph expressing the negative ion concentration as a function of the number of times of discharge of the ion generator 6 a ( 6 b , 6 c , or 6 d ).
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates the number of times of discharge per unit time (times/second).
  • the vertical axis indicates the negative ion concentration ( ⁇ 10,000 ions/cm 3 ) measured at a position located at 25 cm above the upper face of the wind direction body 7 releasing ions together with air.
  • the ion concentration is approximately 1,800,000 ions/cm 3 .
  • the ion concentration is at a value slightly exceeding a half of 1,800,000 ions/cm 3 .
  • the ion concentration is reduced into a half at the above-mentioned value of 35 times.
  • a threshold value for the judgment of the presence or absence of ions is determined such that the limit of concluding the presence of ions is placed when the number of times of discharge of the ion generator 6 a is 35 times.
  • FIGS. 10A and B are graphs expressing the output voltage of the measuring part 67 in a case that the ion generators 6 a and 6 b without the rib 64 are turned ON/OFF at an ordinary temperature and an ordinary humidity.
  • This output voltage corresponds to the index detected by the ion detector.
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates time (second).
  • the vertical axis indicates the voltage (V).
  • the number of times of discharge is 35 times/second.
  • the collecting electrode 66 of the measuring part 67 collects mainly negative ions generated by the negative ion generating part 62 of the ion generator 6 a . As illustrated in FIG.
  • the threshold value for the judgment of the amount of change is reduced further to a value lower than 1V so that a margin is provided.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON/OFF every 10 seconds. Then, when the amount of change in the output voltage of the measuring part 67 measured immediately before the ON/OFF switching is greater than 0.5 V, the presence of ions is concluded.
  • This judgment (referred to as ion judgment 1, hereinafter) is intended to judgment at an ordinary temperature and an ordinary humidity.
  • the above-mentioned time of 10 seconds is not limited to this value, and may be longer (or shorter) than 10 seconds.
  • the output voltage of the measuring part 67 obtained when the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON/OFF does not fall sufficiently from 5 V (that is, the amount of change in the output voltage at the time of ON/OFF is reduced), and hence a problem arises that judgment of the presence or absence of ions is not achieved satisfactorily.
  • the present inventors have focused attention on the difference in the output voltage of the measuring part obtained in a case that the ion generators 6 a and 6 c installed in alignment in the direction of parallel installation of the ion generating parts 61 and 62 are alternately turned ON/OFF and that the collecting electrode 66 alternately collects negative and positive ions. As a result, it has been found that this difference becomes larger than the above-mentioned amount of change in the output voltage especially under the environment of high humidity.
  • FIG. 11 is a graph describing a situation that a difference in the amount of change in the output voltage of the measuring part 67 arises owing to a difference in the driving timing of the ion generators.
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates the number of times of discharge (time/second) of each ion generator which is driven.
  • the vertical axis indicates the maximum value (V) of the amount of change in the output voltage of the measuring part 67 .
  • the solid line indicates a case that the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are simultaneously turned ON/OFF every 10 seconds.
  • the dot line indicates a case that the ion generators 6 a and 6 c are alternately turned ON/OFF every 10 seconds.
  • the ambient temperature is 30° C. and the humidity is 95% for all cases.
  • FIG. 12 is a graph expressing the output voltage of the measuring part 67 in a case that the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are alternately turned ON/OFF every 10 seconds at an ordinary temperature and an ordinary humidity.
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates time (second).
  • the vertical axis indicates the voltage (V).
  • the number of times of discharge is 480 times/second.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are turned OFF.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned OFF and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are turned ON.
  • the collecting electrode 66 of the measuring part 67 alternately collects mainly negative ions generated by the negative ion generating part 62 of the ion generator 6 a and positive ions generated by the positive ion generating part 61 of the ion generator 6 c .
  • the waveform of the output voltage of the measuring part 67 varies remarkably from +5 V to almost the ground potential as illustrated in FIG. 12 when the number of times of discharge is set to be 480 times.
  • the output voltage of the measuring part 67 does not fall sufficiently from +5 V. Even in this case, it has been found by an experiment performed by the present inventors that when the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are alternately turned ON/OFF, the output voltage of the measuring part 67 once falls steeply immediately after the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON. Thus, when this fall in the output voltage is detected, judgment of the presence or absence of ions is achieved even under the environment of high humidity.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph expressing the output voltage of the measuring part 67 in a case that the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are alternately turned ON/OFF every 1 second at an ordinary temperature and a high humidity (90% or higher).
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates time (second).
  • the vertical axis indicates the voltage (V).
  • the number of times of discharge is 480 times/second.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are turned OFF.
  • the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned OFF and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are turned ON. It is seen that immediately after the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON at times T 4 and T 6 , the output voltage falls in a waveform having a local minimum near 3 V and having a peak in the negative direction.
  • ion judgment 2 a method that the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d are alternately turned ON/OFF every 1 second and that the presence or absence of ions is judged on the basis of the amount of change to the local minimum of the output voltage immediately after the turn-ON with reference to the output voltage of the measuring part 67 obtained immediately before the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON is referred to as ion judgment 2. Even in a case that judgment of the presence or absence of ions is not achieved satisfactorily by ion judgment 1 described above, ion judgment 2 permits judgment of the presence or absence of ions with precision in a wide range of environment from ordinary temperature and ordinary humidity to high humidity.
  • the ON/OFF of each ion generator is switched every second with a period of 2 seconds.
  • employable configurations are not limited to this.
  • the switching may be performed with a time interval longer than 1 second.
  • FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating drive signals inputted to the control inputs PC 1 , PC 2 , PC 3 , and PC 4 when the presence or absence of ions is to be judged.
  • the horizontal axis in the figure indicates time (second).
  • the vertical axis indicates the state of ON/OFF of the drive signal.
  • ion judgment 1 the ON/OFF of each drive signal is switched 6 times with a period of 10 seconds. Then, when the presence of ions is concluded, the judgment is normally terminated at the time.
  • the procedure goes to ion judgment 2 and then the ON/OFF of each drive signal is switched 10 times with a period of 1 second. Then, when the presence of ions is concluded, the judgment is normally terminated at the time.
  • each cycle of ion judgment 1 first, the drive signals to be inputted to the control inputs PC 1 and PC 2 are turned ON and the drive signals to be inputted to the control inputs PC 3 and PC 4 are turned OFF. Then, after 10 seconds, the ON/OFF of these drive signals is switched. Then, after another 10 seconds, one cycle is completed. Thus, in the former 10 seconds, only the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are ON and hence negative charge generated by the negative ions generated by the ion generating parts 62 is accumulated in the collecting electrode 66 .
  • the output voltage of the measuring part 67 falls toward the ground potential in the former half of the 20 seconds and rises toward the supply voltage of the DC power supply (5 V) in the latter half (see FIG. 12 ).
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged in ion judgment 1
  • the presence of ions is concluded in a case that the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output voltage during the period of ion judgment 1 is greater than a given voltage (i.e., 0.5 V).
  • the only difference in the drive signals inputted to the control inputs PC 1 to PC 4 in each cycle of ion judgment 2 is that the period (2 seconds) of ON/OFF of each drive signal is different from the period (20 seconds) in ion judgment 1.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged in ion judgment 2
  • the presence of ions is concluded in a case that the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output voltage during the period of ion judgment 2 is greater than a given voltage (i.e., 0.5 V).
  • FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 81 driving the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d in an ordinary operating state.
  • FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 81 concerning a subroutine for switching of the PCs 1 to 4 .
  • the processing of FIGS. 15 and 16 is executed in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 82 . Further, the processing of FIG. 15 is re-executed at each time that the processing is completed.
  • a “measurement flag” indicating that the measurement for judging the presence or absence of ions is on-going and a “toggle flag” indicating the phase of ON/OFF are stored in the RAM 83 .
  • the CPU 81 causes the timer 84 to start the time counting of 1 second (step S 11 ).
  • the time to be counted is not limited to 1 second.
  • a time length such as 0.5 second and 1.5 seconds may be employed.
  • the CPU 81 judges whether the timer 84 has completed the time counting (step S 12 ). When it is concluded that the time counting is not completed (step S 12 : NO), the CPU 81 waits until the timer 84 completes the time counting.
  • step S 12 When it is concluded that the time counting has been completed (step S 12 : YES), the CPU 81 judges whether the “measurement flag” has been set to be 1 (step S 13 ). When it is concluded that the setting has been done (step S 13 : YES), the CPU 81 terminates the processing immediately. Thus, during the judgment of the presence or absence of ions, the ion generators 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , and 6 d are maintained not to be turned ON/OFF in the present processing. When it is concluded that the “measurement flag” has not been set to 1 (step S 13 : NO), the CPU 81 calls and executes a subroutine concerning the switching of the PCs 1 to 4 (step S 14 ), and then terminates the processing.
  • the CPU 81 judges whether the “toggle flag” has been set to be 1 (step S 21 ). When it is concluded that the setting has been done (step S 21 : YES), the CPU 81 clears the “toggle flag” into 0 (step S 22 ), and further turns ON the control input PC 1 of the ion generator drive circuit 91 through the output interface 88 (step S 23 ). Similarly, the CPU 81 turns ON the control input PC 2 (step S 24 ), turns OFF the control input PC 3 (step S 25 ), further turns OFF the control input PC 4 (step S 26 ), and then terminates the processing.
  • step S 21 When it is concluded that the “toggle flag” has not been set to 1 at step S 21 (step S 21 : NO), the CPU 81 sets the “toggle flag” to 1 (step S 27 ), and further turns OFF the control input PC 1 of the ion generator drive circuit 91 through the output interface 88 (step S 28 ). Similarly, the CPU 81 turns OFF the control input PC 2 (step S 29 ), turns ON the control input PC 3 (step S 30 ), further turns ON the control input PC 4 (step S 31 ), and then terminates the processing.
  • the CPU 81 switches the ON/OFF of the control inputs PC 1 , PC 2 , PC 3 , and PC 4 of the ion generator drive circuit 91 .
  • FIGS. 17 , 18 , and 19 are a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 81 generating a warning on the basis of the result of judgment of the presence or absence of ions.
  • the following processing is executed after 30 seconds of the initialization processing performed by the CPU 81 . After that, the present processing is repeated every 3 hours. This repeating cycle is not limited to 3 hours.
  • the “loop count (C)” and the “error count” are variables stored in the RAM 83 .
  • the value of 0 is written into the “error count” in the initialization processing performed by the CPU 81 .
  • the CPU 81 sets the “measurement flag” to be 1 as initialization (step S 41 ), then sets the “toggle flag” to be 1 (step S 42 ), and then substitutes 6 into the “loop count (C)” storing the number of times of switching of the PCs 1 to 4 in ion judgment 1 (step S 43 ).
  • the CPU 81 starts acquisition of the voltage value (V) of the output voltage of the measuring part 67 through the A/D conversion circuit 89 (step S 44 ).
  • V the acquired voltage value (V) is store sequentially into a register of the CPU 81 or into the RAM 83 .
  • the CPU 81 calls and executes a subroutine concerning the switching of the PCs 1 to 4 (step S 45 ), and causes the timer 84 to start time counting for 10 seconds (step S 46 ). After that, the CPU 81 judges whether the timer 84 has completed the time counting (step S 47 ). When it is concluded that the time counting is not completed (step S 47 : NO), the CPU 81 waits until the timer 84 completes the time counting.
  • step S 47 When it is concluded that the time counting has been completed (step S 47 : YES), the CPU 81 subtracts 1 from the “loop count (C)” (step S 48 ), and judges whether “C” is 0 (step S 49 ). When it is concluded that the value is not 0 (step S 49 : NO), the CPU 81 returns the processing to step S 45 . By virtue of this, switching of the PCs 1 to 4 is repeated.
  • step S 49 when it is concluded that “C” has become 0 (step S 49 : YES), the CPU 81 terminates the acquisition of the output voltage of the measuring part 67 (step S 50 ). After that, the CPU 81 calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the voltage value (V) stored in the register or the RAM 83 (step S 51 ), and judges whether the calculated difference is greater than a given threshold value (0.5 V) (step S 52 ).
  • step S 52 When it is concluded that the value is greater than the given threshold value (step S 52 : YES), that is, when the presence of ions is concluded, the CPU 81 clears the “measurement flag” into 0 (step S 53 ) in order to indicate the completion of the judgment of the presence or absence of ions then clears the “error count” into 0 (step S 54 ), and then terminates the processing. As a result, the history of conclusion of the absence of ions is cleared.
  • step S 52 when it is concluded that the value is smaller than the given threshold value (step S 52 : NO), that is, when the presence of ions is not concluded, the CPU 81 substitutes 10 into the “loop count (C)” storing the number of times of switching of the PCs 1 to 4 in ion judgment 2 (step S 61 ). Then, the CPU 81 starts acquisition of the voltage value (V) of the output voltage of the measuring part 67 through the A/D conversion circuit 89 (step S 62 ). Hereinafter, it is assumed that the acquired voltage value (V) is stored sequentially into a register of the CPU 81 or into the RAM 83 .
  • the CPU 81 calls and executes a subroutine concerning the switching of the PCs 1 to 4 (step S 63 ), and causes the timer 84 to start time counting for 1 second (step S 64 ). After that, the CPU 81 judges whether the timer 84 has completed the time counting (step S 65 ). When it is concluded that the time counting is not completed (step S 65 : NO), the CPU 81 waits until the timer 84 completes the time counting.
  • step S 65 When it is concluded that the timer 84 has completed the time counting (step S 65 : YES), the CPU 81 subtracts 1 from the “loop count (C)” (step S 66 ), and judges whether “C” is 0 (step S 67 ). When it is concluded that the value is not 0 (step S 67 : NO), the CPU 81 returns the processing to step S 63 .
  • step S 67 when it is concluded that the “loop count (C)” has become 0 (step S 67 : YES), the CPU 81 terminates the acquisition of the output voltage of the measuring part 67 (step S 68 ). After that, the CPU 81 calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the voltage value (V) stored in the register or the RAM 83 (step S 69 ), and judges whether the calculated difference (the amount of change) is greater than the given threshold value (0.5 V) (step S 70 ). When it is concluded that the value is greater than the given threshold value (step S 70 : YES), that is, when the presence of ions is concluded, the CPU 81 returns the processing to step S 53 .
  • step S 70 when it is concluded that the value is smaller than the given threshold value (0.5V) (step S 70 : NO), that is, when the presence of ions has been not concluded in both of ion judgment 1 and ion judgment 2, the CPU 81 adds 1 to the “error count” (step S 71 ), and judges whether the “error count” has become 60 (step S 72 ). When it is concluded that the value does not reach 60 (step S 72 : NO), the CPU 81 terminates the processing.
  • the given threshold value 0.5V
  • step S 72 When it is concluded that the “error count” has become 60 (step S 72 : YES), that is, when it is concluded that the absence of ions is concluded, the CPU 81 clears the “error count” into 0 (step S 73 ) and, in order to notify the absence of ions, turns OFF a blue lamp in the display part 86 (step S 74 ) and turns ON a red lamp indicating a warning (step S 75 ). As a warning by sound, the CPU 81 operates a buzzer provided in the operation part 85 (step S 76 ), then performs other necessary processing for shutdown (step S 77 ), and then terminates the processing.
  • the number of times of judgment for the “error count” is not limited to 60, and may be an arbitrary value.
  • ion generators in which the directions of parallel installation of positive and negative ion generating parts are made the same are biased such that the overlap in the direction of parallel installation is exactly cleared, and the direction of the air flow running near each ion generating part and the direction of parallel installation are approximately at right angles to each other.
  • the collecting electrode collects ions generated respectively by the positive ion generating part of one ion generator and the negative ion generating part of the other ion generator.
  • the difference in the output voltage of the measuring part obtained when the individual ion generators are turned ON at different timings increases in comparison with the amount of change in the output voltage obtained when one ion generator is turned ON/OFF.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged easily.
  • the ion generators are installed in contact in alignment in the direction of parallel installation of the ion generating parts, and the opening side of each ion generating part is oriented to a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of aligned installation.
  • the separation distance between the collecting electrode and the installed in alignment-ion generators is almost minimized.
  • the difference in the output voltage of the measuring part in a case that the individual ion generators are turned ON at different timings is almost maximized and hence judgment of the presence or absence of ions is achieved reliably.
  • the ions generated in the ventilation flue by the ion generating part are conducted efficiently together with the air flow in the ventilation flue.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged in a state that the ion generators mainly generating positive and negative ions respectively to the collecting electrode are turned ON alternately with a period of 20 seconds (every 10 seconds).
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged again after the ion generator mainly generating negative ions to the collecting electrode is turned ON with a period of 2 seconds.
  • the presence or absence of ions is judged with focusing attention on the amount of change in the output voltage of the measuring part occurring when the one ion generator is turned ON. Accordingly, the presence or absence of ions is judged by recognizing a rapid change in the output voltage occurring when the ions are changed from positive to negative. Thus, like in a case that the humidity of air under the judgment of the presence or absence of ions is extremely high, even in a case that the output voltage of the measuring part having once varied varies to the opposite direction during the time that the ion generator is ON, the presence or absence of ions is judged without errors.
  • a red lamp of the display part 86 is turned ON as a warning, and a warning sound is generated from a buzzer.
  • a warning voice may be generated by an electronic speech circuit and a speaker.
  • the difference in the output voltage of the measuring part 67 obtained immediately before the switching of ON/OFF of the ion generators 6 a and 6 b and the ion generators 6 c and 6 d is compared with a given threshold value.
  • employable configurations are not limited to this.
  • the minimum value and the maximum value may respectively be determined for the output voltage of the measuring part sampled for every second during the time that the ion generators 6 a and 6 b are turned ON for 10 seconds and turned OFF for 10 seconds. Then, the difference of the determined maximum and minimum values may be compared with a threshold value.
  • the collecting electrode 66 is pulled up to DC 5 V by a resistor. Then, the presence or absence of ions is judged with focusing attention on the negative ions.
  • employable configurations are not limited to this.
  • the electrode may be pulled down to the ground potential by a resistor, and then the presence or absence of ions may be judged with focusing attention on the positive ions.

Landscapes

  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
US13/259,373 2009-03-25 2010-01-26 Ion generating apparatus and judgment method for presence or absence of ions Expired - Fee Related US8895919B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009074607A JP4610657B2 (ja) 2009-03-25 2009-03-25 イオン発生装置及びイオンの有無判定方法
JP2009-074607 2009-03-25
JP2009074607 2009-03-25
PCT/JP2010/050980 WO2010109940A1 (ja) 2009-03-25 2010-01-26 イオン発生装置及びイオンの有無判定方法

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120006996A1 US20120006996A1 (en) 2012-01-12
US8895919B2 true US8895919B2 (en) 2014-11-25

Family

ID=42780637

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/259,373 Expired - Fee Related US8895919B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2010-01-26 Ion generating apparatus and judgment method for presence or absence of ions

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US8895919B2 (ja)
JP (1) JP4610657B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN102301551B (ja)
WO (1) WO2010109940A1 (ja)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170276639A1 (en) * 2016-03-28 2017-09-28 Naturion Pte. Ltd. Method and device for measuring ion concentration

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4703770B1 (ja) 2010-02-19 2011-06-15 シャープ株式会社 イオン発生装置及びイオンの有無判定方法
JP5220154B2 (ja) * 2011-03-30 2013-06-26 シャープ株式会社 イオン発生装置
JP2012237458A (ja) * 2011-05-09 2012-12-06 Sharp Corp 空気清浄装置
JP5916114B2 (ja) * 2012-05-24 2016-05-11 シャープ株式会社 送風装置
KR102076660B1 (ko) * 2012-06-21 2020-02-12 엘지전자 주식회사 공기 조화기 및 그 제어방법
JP6031860B2 (ja) * 2012-07-13 2016-11-24 ダイキン工業株式会社 イオン放出装置
JP2014154416A (ja) * 2013-02-12 2014-08-25 Sharp Corp イオン発生装置及びこれを用いた除電器
JP6289162B2 (ja) * 2013-08-05 2018-03-07 シャープ株式会社 イオン発生装置および電気機器
JP5945970B2 (ja) * 2013-10-23 2016-07-05 Smc株式会社 イオナイザ及びその制御方法
JP5945972B2 (ja) * 2013-11-01 2016-07-05 Smc株式会社 イオナイザ及びその制御方法
CN205987511U (zh) * 2014-09-05 2017-02-22 夏普株式会社 离子发生器
EP3372076A4 (en) * 2015-11-04 2019-06-12 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. DRIVE DEVICE AND SPRAY DEVICE USING THE DRIVING DEVICE
CN107732671B (zh) * 2016-08-12 2019-10-29 先进科技新加坡有限公司 配置有离子检测器的离子发生器
US10669668B2 (en) * 2017-11-28 2020-06-02 Mark Goodson Clothes dryer fire reduction system
CN113819567B (zh) * 2021-09-16 2023-07-18 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 空调器的功能展示方法

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04164804A (ja) 1990-10-29 1992-06-10 Daikin Ind Ltd オゾン発生装置
JPH0668398U (ja) 1993-02-25 1994-09-22 シシド静電気株式会社 除電装置における放電監視装置
JP2003336872A (ja) 2002-05-23 2003-11-28 Sharp Corp イオン発生素子
JP2004003885A (ja) 2002-05-31 2004-01-08 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 空気イオンセンサ、及びそれを用いた空気イオン発生装置
JP2004363088A (ja) 2003-05-15 2004-12-24 Sharp Corp イオン発生素子、イオン発生装置、電気機器
JP2005328904A (ja) 2004-05-18 2005-12-02 Sharp Corp イオン発生装置およびこれを用いた空気調節装置
JP2007114177A (ja) 2005-09-21 2007-05-10 Sharp Corp イオン検出装置及びイオン発生装置
JP2008016274A (ja) 2006-07-05 2008-01-24 Sunx Ltd 除電装置
JP2010054371A (ja) 2008-08-28 2010-03-11 Sharp Corp イオン検出装置及びそれを備えたイオン発生装置
JP2010092773A (ja) 2008-10-09 2010-04-22 Sharp Corp イオン発生装置

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04164804A (ja) 1990-10-29 1992-06-10 Daikin Ind Ltd オゾン発生装置
JPH0668398U (ja) 1993-02-25 1994-09-22 シシド静電気株式会社 除電装置における放電監視装置
JP2003336872A (ja) 2002-05-23 2003-11-28 Sharp Corp イオン発生素子
JP2004003885A (ja) 2002-05-31 2004-01-08 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 空気イオンセンサ、及びそれを用いた空気イオン発生装置
JP2004363088A (ja) 2003-05-15 2004-12-24 Sharp Corp イオン発生素子、イオン発生装置、電気機器
US20070109711A1 (en) 2003-05-15 2007-05-17 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Ion generating element, ion generating apparatus, and electric appliance
JP2005328904A (ja) 2004-05-18 2005-12-02 Sharp Corp イオン発生装置およびこれを用いた空気調節装置
JP2007114177A (ja) 2005-09-21 2007-05-10 Sharp Corp イオン検出装置及びイオン発生装置
JP2008016274A (ja) 2006-07-05 2008-01-24 Sunx Ltd 除電装置
JP2010054371A (ja) 2008-08-28 2010-03-11 Sharp Corp イオン検出装置及びそれを備えたイオン発生装置
JP2010092773A (ja) 2008-10-09 2010-04-22 Sharp Corp イオン発生装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) dated Apr. 13, 2010 for PCT/JP2010/050980.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170276639A1 (en) * 2016-03-28 2017-09-28 Naturion Pte. Ltd. Method and device for measuring ion concentration
US10222347B2 (en) * 2016-03-28 2019-03-05 Naturion Pte. Ltd. Method and device for measuring ion concentration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN102301551B (zh) 2013-08-21
WO2010109940A1 (ja) 2010-09-30
CN102301551A (zh) 2011-12-28
US20120006996A1 (en) 2012-01-12
JP2010225558A (ja) 2010-10-07
JP4610657B2 (ja) 2011-01-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8895919B2 (en) Ion generating apparatus and judgment method for presence or absence of ions
US8771599B2 (en) Ion detecting apparatus and ion generating apparatus
US8854788B2 (en) Ion generating apparatus and ion presence determining method
EP2537535B1 (en) Ion generating device and air cleaning device
JP2008018426A (ja) 集塵装置
TWI760602B (zh) 空氣清淨裝置
JP4436877B2 (ja) イオン発生装置
JP5197291B2 (ja) イオン発生装置
US20120026641A1 (en) Ion generating apparatus and air cleaner
JP2008018425A (ja) 集塵装置
US20130043404A1 (en) Ion generation device and ion detection method in the device
JP2010062036A (ja) イオン発生器並びにそれを備えた空気清浄機及び空気調和機
JP4411356B1 (ja) イオン検出装置及びそれを備えたイオン発生装置
WO2006024220A1 (fr) Purificateur d'air demontable
EP3985316B1 (en) Purifier and air purification appliance
JP3941872B2 (ja) 直流式イオン発生装置
CN112956824A (zh) 具有净化功能的柜子
EP2420259A1 (en) Ion generating apparatus and air cleaning apparatus
KR20230036279A (ko) 공기청정기
JP2005254178A (ja) 電気集塵式空気清浄装置
JPH07299382A (ja) 空気清浄機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NISHINO, MASAFUMI;REEL/FRAME:026972/0296

Effective date: 20110830

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.)

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20181125